SUNDAY’S CAR SHOW, the biggest of the year in Benicia, will feature hundreds of vintage vehicles, including fire trucks. The 22nd annual show is a major fundraiser for the Benicia High School band, which will perform throughout the day.
Courtesy Jeff Arkin
“Steve Wymer is running the show this year,” Panther Band Booster President Jeff Arkin said.
Amid all the chrome and fins, grilles and big engines, the show also will feather the beneficiaries of the show, the Benicia High School Panther Band.
“The band will be roving around the grounds and lower First Street,” Arkin said. They’ll hear rock-chart music and “oldies” songs, he said. At other times, show attendees will be entertained with music provided by a disk jockey.
Among the fire trucks on display will be one from the Valero Benicia Refinery fire department, which may be located by looking for the large American flag, Arkin said, and “we will also have the pink ‘cancer firetruck’ being driven in by the father of a cancer victim.”
But, of course, the biggest draw is the show cars, and both individuals and clubs will be there to fill the Green and line First Street up to D Street with about 400 cars, Arkin said.
The car show was started 22 years ago by Dalt Williams, who at the time was the school’s first band director and who continues to be a car enthusiast.
Originally the show spread out across the high school’s football field, but as it grew it was moved to the downtown location, Arkin said.
“To this day, Mr. Williams continues to bring his 1964 Chrysler Newport to the show that he started,” he said.
So far, the Panther Boosters have no plans for a different site for the annual car show, and instead would prefer to limit it to the First Street Green’s capacity, Arkin said.
“We would have to cut it off at around 425, but that’s never actually happened,” he said.
Among the car clubs expected at the show are the award-winning Boyz Under the Hood, with a large number of its members from South Solano County; as well as organizations focused on specific brands or models, such as Mustang and Corvette clubs and, this year, possibly a Camero club, Arkin said.
“The GTO guys love coming, and usually take over the pier,” he said.
Those strolling the Green will find cars shown by their neighbors from Solano and Contra Costa counties, as well as some vehicles brought in from Napa and Sacramento, he said.
Not only do show entrants get to display their carefully detailed vehicles, they also will vote on the cars they like best, choosing those that will take home prizes.
Besides cars, show attendees can shop among gift vendors and patronize food trucks as well.
Those wanting to enter the show must complete a form on the band booster’s website www.pantherbandboosters.com/car-show and pay a $40 “day of event” registration fee. All proceeds go to the Panther Band Boosters, the nonprofit organization that supports the Benicia High School band program, Arkin said.
Those with questions about the show may email carshow@pantherbandboosters.com.
The organization also accepts donations, which are tax-deductible. Members will be at the show, and donations can be sent to Panther Band Boosters, P.O. Box 1812, Benicia, Calif., 94510
The Benicia Panther Band Car Show opens at 9 a.m. Sunday and lasts until 3 p.m. on the First Street Green.
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Are dogs permitted? I emailed the boosters last year and was told dogs are permitted on lease. But when I showed up I had two people tell me they were not allowed. What’s the deal? Thanks.